How far is Rockford, IL from Gardner, IL?
The driving distance from Rockford, IL to Gardner, IL is about 122.8 miles (197.7 km), with a travel time of about 02h 20m by car.
- The straight-line flight distance is about 85.2 miles (137.1 km).
- For a round trip, plan for roughly 04h 40m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
- A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT.
Reverse, save, or send this route
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.
This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.
Flight Distance
Driving Distance
Gas Cost Calculator
Leave and Arrive Planner
Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.
Drive time stays fixed at 02h 20m.
A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.
You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.
Halfway Point
A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.
Township in LaSalle County, Illinois
Route Weather Snapshot
Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.
Showers And Thunderstorms
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Driving Route Map
The map below follows the saved road route between Rockford and Gardner.
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Rockford and Gardner.
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1
Start on West State Street
546 ft · 23 sec · West State Street
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2
Turn left onto South Church Street
1519 ft · 37 sec · South Church Street
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3
Turn left onto Cedar Street
84 m · 5 sec · Cedar Street
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4
Turn right onto South Main Street
3.6 mi · 6 min · South Main Street
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5
Take the ramp left
1707 ft · 44 sec
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6
Merge slight left onto U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
4.3 mi · 5 min · U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
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7
Take the exit slight right
1.2 km · 2 min
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8
Merge slight right
59.8 mi · 1 hr 4 min
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9
Take the exit slight right toward I 80 East: Chicago
2405 ft · 59 sec
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10
Merge slight left
33.2 mi · 36 min
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11
Take the exit slight right toward IL 47: Yorkville, Morris
1375 ft · 34 sec
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12
Turn right onto Division Street
10 mi · 12 min · Division Street
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13
Continue on East Street
4.1 mi · 5 min · East Street
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14
Turn left onto East Gardner Road
4.9 mi · 7 min · East Gardner Road
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15
Continue straight
1591 ft · 29 sec
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16
Continue on West Main Street
2177 ft · 1 min · West Main Street
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17
Turn right onto South Grundy Street
34 m · 5 sec · South Grundy Street
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18
Arrive at your destination
0 m · 1 sec · South Grundy Street
Car Route Details
A richer read on the saved driving route between Rockford and Gardner.
Highway-focused drive
Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.
U.S. Grant Memorial Highway
Merge slight right
59.8 mi · 01h 04m
Route Summary
A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.
A comfortable day-trip route
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
Showers And Thunderstorms leaving Rockford and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Gardner.
Trip Questions
Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.
How long does it take to drive from Rockford to Gardner?
The road trip is about 122.8 miles (197.7 km) and usually takes 02h 20m in normal driving conditions.
Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?
This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.
What is the halfway point on this route?
Troy Grove is a useful midpoint, sitting about 61.4 miles from Rockford and 61.5 miles from Gardner.
How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?
The direct path is about 85.2 miles (137.1 km), while the road route adds roughly 37.6 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.
When is the best time to leave for this route?
A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM CDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 1:50 PM CDT.
How much will gas cost for this route?
Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $16.37 one way or $32.73 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 38.6 kg one way.
What should you check before leaving?
Before you leave, expect Showers And Thunderstorms around Rockford and Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms near Gardner.
Stop Ideas Near Troy Grove
Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.
Transit and Meeting Points
Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Troy Grove.
Mendota station
Princeton
Plano
Dwight station
Flight Path Map
This map shows the direct air route between Rockford and Gardner. Straight-line distance: 85.21 mi (137.13 km).
#1 Rockford
The second most populous city in Illinois.
| Population | 144,835 |
| Coordinates | 42.2711300, -89.0940000 |
| Altitude | 218 |
| Country | United States |
#2 Gardner
Village in Illinois, United States
| Population | 1,377 |
| Coordinates | 41.1855900, -88.3097800 |
| Altitude | 179 |
| Country | United States |
End: Gardner (-88.30978, 41.18559)
Estimated Travel Time
Distance: 198 km by road
| Speed | Time |
|---|---|
| 30 mph (48.3 km/h) | 04h 05m |
| 40 mph (64.37 km/h) | 03h 04m |
| 50 mph (80.47 km/h) | 02h 27m |
| 60 mph (96.56 km/h) | 02h 02m |
| 70 mph (112.65 km/h) | 01h 45m |
| 80 mph (129 km/h) | 01h 31m |
Fuel, Round Trip and CO2
Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.
| Fuel | $/gal | One way | Round trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular gas | $3.77 | $16.37 | $32.73 |
| Mid-grade | $4.25 | $18.46 | $36.92 |
| Premium | $4.65 | $20.20 | $40.40 |
| Diesel | $5.30 | $23.02 | $46.04 |
Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.
Prices in Illinois · Apr 15, 2026
Distance to Other Cities
Planning a road trip? See the full trip guide on Trip.ovh — stops, fuel costs, weather, and departure timing.